I knew about the Universal Postal Union but I didn’t know there was a UN Postal Administration until I spent time at the APS’ Annual Stamp show!  I purchased a few items they had available and talked to the husband and wife team who staffed the booth.  I learned, for example, that:

The United Nations is the only organization in the world which is neither a country nor a territory that is permitted to issue postage stamps. It is also the only postal authority to issue stamps in three different currencies, namely U.S. dollars, Swiss francs and Euro.

They issue some truly incredible stamps: holograms, gilding, incredible printing, fantastic designs, and multiple language editions of one design.  Don’t believe me?  Take a look in their online shop.  I picked up a cover featuring the humanitarian mail stamps they issued in 2007.  Also fascinating:

The UN stamps can only be mailed from the UN in New York, Geneva and Vienna, while UPU stamps are only valid on mail posted at the UPU International Bureau in Berne.

Of course, that explains why there are 4 commemorative cancels on the humanitarian mail cover.

I also snagged the 2004 disarmament stamp that says “books not guns.”

The “books not guns” design really spoke to me.  I actually bought 3– no idea what I’ll do with the other two, but it’s just too beautiful to pass up.  Exactly my aesthetic.